Is it OK to take Zyrtec for years?

Cetirizine is unlikely to do you any harm if you take it for a long time. However it's best to take cetirizine only for as long as you need to. If you take it regularly over a long period there's a very small chance of severe itching if you stop treatment suddenly.

Can you take Zyrtec for years?

Is it okay to take ZYRTEC^® over a long period of time? The ZYRTEC^® package label doesn't state a limit on how long you can take ZYRTEC^®. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions, especially if you're taking other medicines or being treated for any other conditions.

What happens if you take Zyrtec long term?

“The most common side effects you tend to see are fatigue, headaches, and dry mouth,” says Shih. If you're someone for whom the benefits of regular antihistamine use far outweighs the occasional minor side effect, longterm use is safe for most adults and children, he adds.

Can long term use of Zyrtec cause problems?

Tolerance is not a problem. Rarely, they can cause acute self-limited liver injury. One study has reported a more serious long-term effect, a 3.5-fold increase in the risk of gliomas, a common type of brain tumor in patients with long-term antihistamine use for allergic conditions.

What happens if you take antihistamines for years?

Long term use of some antihistamines may increase your risk of dementia. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) blocks the effects of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. This neurotransmitter is vital for memory and learning.

Side effects due to prolonged use of antihistamines - Dr. Sriram Nathan

How long should Zyrtec be taken?

Zyrtec, on the other hand, is fast acting. People who take it may feel relief in as little as one hour. Antihistamines like Zyrtec and Claritin are designed to calm the histamine reaction your body has when it's exposed to an allergen.

What are the side effects of taking Zyrtec daily?

What are the dangers of Zyrtec?

Drowsiness, tiredness, and dry mouth may occur. Stomach pain may also occur, especially in children. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

What does Zyrtec do to the brain?

Histamine H₁ receptor antagonist cetirizine impairs working memory processing speed, but not episodic memory.

Why was Zyrtec taken off the market?

Greg Panico, a spokesman for Janssen Pharmaceutica, which is owned by Johnson and Johnson, said that the withdrawal was a voluntary business decision. “The decision to voluntarily discontinue it recognises that the allergy marketplace is crowded with a number of other drugs,” Mr Panico said.

What should you not take with Zyrtec?

While most anticholinergics can be modified or monitored when taken with loratadine or cetirizine, several should be avoided entirely, including aclidinium, cimetropium, glycopyrrolate, glycopyrronium, ipratropium, oxatomide, tiotropium, and umeclidinium.

Does Zyrtec raise blood pressure?

However, medicines containing decongestants — including Allegra-D, Zyrtec-D and Claritin-D — could increase your blood pressure and heart rate or interfere with your heart medication.

What is the safest antihistamine to take long-term?

Allergists recommend long-acting, non-sedating antihistamines — ones that won't make you sleepy — for everyday use. Though you may know them by their brand names, the generic versions tackle the same problems: Cetirizine (Zyrtec®, Aller-Tec®, Wall-Zyr®). Fexofenadine (Allegra®, Aller-ease®, Aller-Fex®, Wal-Fex®).

Is it OK to take Zyrtec everyday?

Is it safe to take Zyrtec every day? Yep. "When taken in the recommended doses, antihistamines can be taken daily. This is especially true with Zyrtec, since it doesn't show decreasing effectiveness if used daily," says Sima Patel, MD, an allergist at New York Allergy & Sinus Centers.

Can you become immune to Zyrtec?

Antihistamines are another popular choice for treating allergies. Fortunately, studies have shown that people do not build up resistance to these drugs.

Why should older people not take Zyrtec?

The well-known side effects of the first-generation antihistamines, sedation and decreased reaction time, are more pronounced in the elderly. The anticholinergic effects are drying of the mouth and eyes, blurred vision, urinary retention, and constipation.

Can long term use of Zyrtec cause weight gain?

When antihistamines block histamine, our appetite can increase. This, plus side effects like drowsiness, could lead to weight gain. Your risk of gaining weight from antihistamines may depend on many factors. But a healthy diet, physical activity, and other lifestyle factors can help you manage your risk.

Is Zyrtec linked to dementia?

Neither Zyrtec nor ipratropium nasal spray are likely to significantly increase risk of dementia, nor of other anticholinergic side effects, such as blurry vision, constipation or fast heart rate.

Can Zyrtec cause memory loss?

First-generation (older) allergy medications may cause memory loss. However, newer antihistamines, cetirizine (Zyrtec) and loratadine (Claritin) are less likely to cause problems with memory and cognition.

How do I get off Zyrtec?

In general, wean gradually by 25-50% of the daily dose every 1-4 weeks. If reason for deprescribing is serious adverse effects, wean faster or cease immediately.

Why is Zyrtec not recommended for over 65?

Some elderly people may have higher risk of side effects because of poor kidney function. The drowsiness and fatigue which may occur in a small percentage of patients may be more of a problem for the elderly because of the increased risk of bone fracture if they fall.

Can you stop Zyrtec cold turkey?

For example, some people experience symptoms with cetirizine if they take it for a while and then stop suddenly. The main withdrawal symptom is called pruritus— itching and burning sensations of the skin ranging from moderate to severe. Other antihistamine withdrawal symptoms include interruptions in sleep patterns.

Can you get addicted to Zyrtec?

When people become addicted to antihistamines, they experience withdrawal symptoms when the source of the drug is discontinued. The severity and duration of the symptoms vary from person to person. Most commonly abused antihistamines include Benadryl, Zyrtec, and Allegra.

Does Zyrtec affect anxiety?

One study also suggests cetirizine and hydroxyzine have a greater chance of causing anxiety and mood changes than other antihistamines. Hydroxyzine can also be used to treat anxiety conditions. So if you notice your symptoms worsen after starting this medication, contact your provider to discuss it further.

What are the 9 memory robbing drugs?

Examples: Alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), flurazepam (Dalmane), lorazepam (Ativan), midazolam (Versed), quazepam (Doral), temazepam (Restoril) and triazolam (Halcion).